Signee Update: Jason Strowbridge

Don Callahan

05/18/2015

Jason Strowbridge has been bulking up in preparation for his projected defensive end position at UNC.

When Jason Strowbridge signed with North Carolina back in February, Keith Gilmore was coaching the Tar Heels’ defensive line. Since then Tray Scott has replaced Gilmore. Thus, Strowbridge has spent the past couple of months getting to know his future position coach.

"He seems pretty cool,” Strowbridge said. “As soon as he got the job, he called me up and told me what happened. So far, he seems like he's going to do a good job."

To expedite the bonding process, Strowbridge, a 6-foot-4, 270-pounder from Deerfield Beach (Fla.), made a 10-hour trip to Charlotte for North Carolina's spring-ending scrimmage. It was his first – thus far only –opportunity to meet Scott in person.

"He was just looking at me saying ‘We need you right now – we need you right now for depth,’” Strowbridge said. “He was just telling me what position they would use me at, the different techniques, and tips for the defense."

As has always been the plan, UNC figures to play Strowbridge at strong-side defensive end.

“We've never talked about red-shirting,” Strowbridge said. “I want to play as soon as I get there. They said they need me and they don't want to red-shirt me.”

In preparation for his collegiate career, Strowbridge has solely been focused on the workout regimen UNC's strength and conditioning staff sent him. As a result, he has added 20 pounds since the end of the football season.

Strowbridge says he’s sticking with No. 55 during his UNC career.

Coming into high school, Strowbridge desired No. 54, but that was in use. So, he went up a digit. Before growing into a defensive lineman, he arrived in high school as an aspiring linebacker idolizing Brian Urlacher – hence his attraction to No. 54.

Strowbridge recently learned that he’ll be sharing a suite with Corey Bell, Johnathan Sutton, and Carl Tucker. He has only met Bell and Tucker once. He’ll move into that suite on June 16 in time for the second summer semester.

“I'm basically just trying to get my mind right,” Strowbridge said. “I'm trying to get my conditioning up because I know that is going to be the biggest adjustment. Everything else will take care of itself.”

Strowbridge says he has been deemed eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse and is just finishing up the last few forms for UNC admissions. He said he is considering majoring in either business or oceanography.